It rained incessantly since afternoon and darkness accompanied the extreme cold. When finally night arrived Anna had tucked Thomas in bed with a kiss on the forehead. Their marriage of 40 years was pure warmth in such extreme weather conditions. He had flashed his eloquent smile and wished her goodnight. Anna looked out from the window of the bedroom and it was serene and mysterious. Mystery clouds every night. Not knowing whether what kind of morning one would face, the night had its own stories. Cars were parked in peace. The Wilsons, their neighbors of fourteen years, were away vacationing in southern India and the house wore a peaceful look from their usual noise. Thomas had nicknamed it ‘the blast’ as he hated unnecessary loud outbursts that emanated from this place mostly. The blast for Anna was music as the house she lived in was devoid of any chaos for years now. Old age had its demons that were regular gate crashers. Thomas and herself were so in love that a third entry was not welcome. Their own produce would have been a betrayal to each other so children were out of the question. They completed each other and till the end, they wanted it like this. Two bodies, one soul the lovebirds believed in and life was going just fine till Thomas had an accident that paralyzed his entire right side and his medication required early sleep and lonely hours for Anna. Thomas, now 72, is a retired judge who found solace in the hills. Anna, thriller series, music, and books gave him company. Lansdowne in Uttarakhand he chose along with his wife to spend the rest of their years.

House help Sam stayed two blocks from their house and it was a good setup. He was a multi-talented guy that saw to their needs. During the day the house was full of his activities that included cooking, washing, gardening, driving, and housekeeping. Before leaving he used to warm the food and keep it in the casseroles. Tea in the kettle was filled for Anna’s passion of reading for late hours post-dinner. Sometimes whenever the couple was too tired for a day-long presence of Sam they used to ask him to call it a day to which he obliged and never came in their way. Sam was turning out to be a son they had never asked for. Sam is an orphan of 17 years old. A thin boy with a never-ending zeal to do things. He works at the local hotel when away. Sam being such a diligent and honest worker many times Anna used to go for walks in the woods after evening tea. Thomas was left in his care and her being away never pinched. Sam never indulged in small talk and this made Thomas really relieved. Thomas was a quiet man and cases had always excited him when he was in Delhi. He never brought work home though only when the cases got over the entirety was discussed with Anna to let her know that she matters in all phases of his life. During the trials, he was a tight-lipped guy. Anna found this trait of his very very charming. Their trips became all the more memorable because of his narrations.

Late hours reading escapades of Anna was a reminder of her passion. The passion to stop everything and surrender to her favorite hobby. Anna, 68, was an architect by profession and now in her grey days, she guided wannabes to draft practical house plans. It was a pastime hobby done over emails and zoom calls if the need be. It was a free day from such distractions. This night in November was cold and reading in the drawing-room all covered in a warm blanket with a cup of tea had set the tone. While reading she could hear the dogs barking and rain hitting the roof. Part of her wanted to check on Thomas but she refrained as the plot of the story was too sumptuous to be kept aside. During the hay days, she used to keep her head on Thomas’s chest and read. While doing this he used to read from the same book and togetherness was bliss. She felt peeish while she reminisced about it and headed towards the bathroom adjacent to the drawing-room. Cold weather slows the bladder as water intake is less frequent so she took her time getting over it. While washing her hands she looked at herself in the mirror and she froze. The mirror reflected the wall opposite the sofa she sat on and that wall had a reflection. Her heartbeat raced to gauge the danger at hand. She was relieved and glad that she did not lock the door as that would have been horrific. She had no defense except a floor swabbing stick. With it, she came out and she saw Sam sitting on the sofa.

“Good Lord Sam. You freaked me out. It is you, oh what a relief.” she sighed.

“Yes it’s a relief that I am here finally.” added Sam.

“Here finally. What’s wrong with you Sam. You are here everyday so what’s new in that? questioned Anna.

“It’s a long story, Mrs. Redwood,” said Sam.

This surname was hidden from the people of Lansdowne. For the town they were the Burtons who were carpet owners and were at a hill station to live their life in peace. She never had ever mentioned their origins to Sam. Not even once by mistake. But here he was and knew their legacy it seemed. Where did she go wrong she thought to herself? Was it when Sam was with Thomas alone that Thomas just got casual and shared their secret? Or was it forgetfulness on her part as she was growing old and in a fit of delight addressed Thomas with his surname in Sam’s presence. Anna was perplexed and her head was spinning. A lad of just 17 years was darting in the dark or was he a deliberate mole since the beginning of his tenure. Four months had passed and no sign of theft, dishonesty and foul behaviour. Sam was a decent boy when he had turned up at their house for housework after Thomas met with that near fatal accident. Anna collected herself and without showing any signs of discomfort or fear she addressed him.

“Sam, it’s Mrs. Burton, remember. Who is Mrs. Redwood?” she feigned.

“I know you are Mrs. Redwood. The wife of your judge husband. He loves to sentence people for their crimes. But of all you know, his being is the biggest crime. A crime cannot be erased once done but the crime of sentencing innocent people for lifelong jail should be avenged.” with blood shot eyes Sam concluded.

“Who are you Sam? Why this mask all these months when you knew who we were? shouted Anna. Thomas was in deep sleep thanks to a high dose of sedatives. Anna knew a loudspeaker too won’t wake him up.

“I am the one who made that accident happen months back Mrs. Redwood. I wanted him to die but he survived. Seems Gods were smiling and a vegetable is better than a whole right side being paralysed. He has been sentenced to dependability till he lives or till I poison him if I lose it again that’s why I was here. But I don’t think so I can do that now as your selfless love has changed me. Every minute spent here is bliss. So free and loving that not even for a minute I felt that I am an orphan. For the past three months I have wanted to gather courage and confront you with my truth but I always felt weak and loathed myself for my doing until I couldn’t take it anymore. I overheard your saying to Mr. Redwood that you wish to open a mini cafe for me to look after and own. My demons were mocking me for the lack of right judgement. I couldn’t take it any more so I am here to confess to you.” cried Sam.

The chain of events was too swift. Here she was after a long day enjoying her favourite novel by the sofa and next minute so many naked truths were dancing as well as tormenting Anna. Love really has powers she thought to herself while Sam was narrating his ordeal. Part of her was furious that her beloved husband is crippled for life because of this godforsaken man and part of her just wanted to hug and let him cry. Life can be so cruel yet so unpredictable. She never could foresee the darkness Sam carried within for so many months while working for them. Her degree in Psychology failed her. Why couldn’t she ever read the signs? Were there any signs in the first place? she soliloquized. Sam was like a gift of God to them. A gift so precious but with ulterior motives none had known this ugliness harbouring within him. Practically no one but Sam alone knew himself inside out.

“Why do you hate him so much that you took the step Sam. Thomas is a gem, you know it, don’t you?” growled Anne with tears.

“He took away the most precious person and put him in jail for a crime he committed for the greater good. My foster father a lab assistant forged a rape specimen into no evidence found as he was paid heavily not knowing that eventually he would be caught. Rapes are common in India and people go scot free. He wanted a good future for me so he did it. My foster father was so guilty of depriving me of a good future that he committed suicide in the first month of his conviction. He was trying his luck but my bad luck rubbed on him too and that very day when he took his life I lost everything. People who commit murders are never caught but file tampering got such a severe sentencing thanks to your husband.” angered Sam.

“Your father committed suicide out of guilt and he was right to admit that he did a mistake and played with an innocent girl’s future. If you would introspect you would get all the answers Sam.” concluded Anna.

“I had to be friends with your cook in Delhi to get here. I wanted it all to look like an accident when I pushed his vehicle and it skidded off the hill but his stars saved him. Is this not the question on your mind, that is how I traced you. Mrs. Redwood? Your cook is the main caretaker of the house in Delhi is it not? snubbed Sam.

“I always knew you were capable of better things Sam but not this. You should be in jail, you know.” chided Anna.

“O yes that’s where I belong hence I am here. When I sat to introspect I found myself at fault as my foster father ain’t coming back no matter what I did in the fit of rage. Your goodness these past months has transformed me. Mr. Redwood is an institution in himself though he is suffering because of me. How do I undo this all? Best I report to the police but before that I want to stand in front of you and you can inflict on me your harshest of punishments Mrs. Redwood as I took away the best years of your life by harming him. He has been lovable since day one of my coming. He hasn’t lost his calm though he is handicapped and his life depends on you and me partially. Don’t be easy on me. Punish me, Mrs. Redwood.” Sam was relentlessly crying after these words.

Thomas wanted no trace of his earlier life in Lansdowne. Many nights he had hidden so much from Anna. The courts and the dangers they bring along once criminal files make their way into these hubs were well known to Thomas. So much was at stake everyday but he lightened it all by keeping it all a secret until the files closed for good. He had no intention of coloring Anna’s world black. She was busy with her architecture and moments after work were pure fun and harmony. He tried to be just when giving a verdict irking many but that’s what a dedicated judge does. His tenure was respectable and Anna was proud of him. By choice they wanted to keep it all hidden to avert any unwanted revenge but Thomas was destined to be avenged. Anna was contemplative and Sam was a good human being. She was 200% sure as he showed up to face it all. More than Thomas it was Sam who bestowed sadness on Anna monumentally. A wife looks forward to her hubby’s retirement where he can all be hers. Retirements meant more quality time with quantity and less stress. She had begun to love Sam not knowing that he was an imposter. It had changed so much that night. But reporting him to the police would jeopardize his outlook to life all the more which was already on the road of transformation.

The book was untouched since Sam’s intrusion. The window was unlatched and the wind was blowing pleasantly. Rain had finally stopped. The clock had struck 2 am. The tea had turned cold. She wanted to hug Sam on instinct but refrained. Without blinking an eyelid she ordered Sam to lock the door and keep the keys with himself for a fresh morning of usual activities. Thomas needed a hot bath and she informed him about it. Their eyes met and Sam left the house. One night could have so many listings she never had this clue ever.